The United States and the United Kingdom have signed a bilateral agreement to fast-track the licensing and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, including applications in the maritime sector.

Announced on September 15, the deal aims to reduce reactor licensing timelines from three or four years to approximately two, while enabling both governments to share regulatory responsibilities for new projects entering site approval.

The agreement is part of a broader push to strengthen energy security and decarbonize shipping. Industry leaders such as CORE POWER, a developer of civilian maritime nuclear systems, welcomed the move and called for maritime nuclear to play a central role in meeting emissions targets.

In parallel, the UK Government announced a further £448 million (US$607.82 million) public investment to reduce emissions from UK shipping.

The civilian maritime nuclear sector includes floating nuclear power plants, which are shipyard-assembled, affordable, and rapidly deployable power stations that can supply clean, constant electricity and industrial heat directly to customers in coastal markets.

The sector also includes the development of civilian nuclear-powered cargo ships, which are faster, have greater endurance, carry more cargo, and provide a completely zero-emission solution to power global shipping.

"Today's commitments by two leading nuclear and maritime nations to fast-track nuclear projects and enhance energy security area welcome boost to sector innovators on both sides of the Atlantic," said Mikal Bøe, CEO of CORE POWER, commenting on the collaboration and the funding for maritime decarbonisation.

"The deployment of nuclear on water can play a key role in enhancing our energy security, driving economy growth and creating high-value manufacturing jobs in coastal communities. It is therefore essential that the pathways announced today include maritime nuclear projects too."

CORE POWER has built partnerships in the U.S. and UK to support the development of maritime nuclear reactors, contribute to regulatory planning for faster deployment, and collaborate with shipbuilders on vessel integration.

The company says it is prepared to work with both governments to advance the maritime nuclear sector through a coordinated public-private effort.